Award Data

We propose to develop a comprehensive mixed-signal design solution with an IP infrastructure, design methodology and design automation tools to enable the use of regular fabrics and mask re-use. The IP infrastructure will consist of metal-reconfigurable analog/RF templates built on top of the existing PDF Solutions’ pdBrixTM solution. The design methodology will allow designers to achieve perfor ...

We propose to develop high-power, highly linear photodiodes having the following specifications at 1550 nm wavelength per photodiode: (1) 3 dB bandwidth > 20 GHz, (2) DC photocurrent > 200 mA, (3) maximum RF output power > 1 W, (4) two-tone OIP3 > 55 dBm, and (5) power-to-phase conversion factor < 3 rad/W. In conjunction with the significant advances in the state-of-the-art in individual photodio ...

Our innovation is a low-cost method for removing orbital debris. We propose to remove debris from medium and high Earth orbits, as well as from LEO, and do it much more cheaply than conventional rockets. Our approach uses a combination of propellantless and high-Isp propulsion and high-power solar arrays to drive a robotic vehicle with nets to capture debris objects and carry them to re-entry or ...

DARPA is interested in advanced laser technology for development of miniature UV 3D LIDARs. UV sources are preferred for seeing through many natural and man made obscurants. Princeton Optronics proposes to develop a miniature UV source at wavelength below 300nm by pumping a solid state laser gain medium with VCSEL array and frequency convert the laser beam to UV frequency. With this approach we ...

A new thruster technology, the Electrodeless Lorentz Force (ELF) thruster, has been designed and tested at MSNW that has the capability to address the demanding combined requirements of high specific power, high efficiency, a large Isp range, and T/P in a single, lightweight device. The ELF thruster creates a high-density, magnetized plasma known as a Field Reversed Configuration using Rotating Ma ...

High energy density capacitors are needed to provide load flexibility to fuel cells as hybrid power supplied for a variety of WMD sensors and detectors. New materials/manufacturing processes are needed to make these electrical power systems man portable. To develop high performance supercapacitors with fast recharge and high discharging rate electrode materials should have very high surface area. ...

PNTS proposes to develop a truly novel implementation of eye-safe terahertz (THz) spectroscopy that is unprecedented in the standoff detection regime for accuracy, low cost, and portability. PNTS has teamed with SC&A, Inc., and researchers from the University of Memphis to create a world class team of research and development personnel. We are proposing a continuous wave terahertz (THz-CW) spect ...

We propose to develop and deliver a nano-patterned metallic light trap platform that will allow ultra-thin InGaN photovoltaics to exhibit extended lifetime by a factor of four when used in low orbit satellite operations. We will test the enhancement of light absorption in InGaN layers with In fraction of 25% for use as an effective method of realizing radiation ultra-hard solar cells for space-ba ...

We are proposing a continuous wave terahertz (THz-CW) spectroscopy system, composed of highly cost effective 1.55µ diode lasers derived from the telecommunications industry, in conjunction with photoconductive switch devices and antennas fabricated from InGaAs grown on InP substrates, coupled with a sensitive heterodyne detection system that is orders of magnitude more sensitive than the more com ...

The proposed phase I research effort will develop a highly efficient MEMS energy harvesters that utilize a novel nanocomposite technology recently developed by Sodano Engineering LLC. Unlike existing piezoelectric nanocomposites, the material proposed here has an electromechanical coupling coefficient higher than the monolithic piezoceramics typically used in MEMS processing. The high coupling i ...